On the fifth day of the European Qualifier Division One, the atmosphere was electric as Germany, anchored by captain Asmita Kohli, faced off against a confident Italy, led by Chloe Piparo, in what was the ninth match of the tournament held at Hazelaarweg, Rotterdam. With Germany struggling at the bottom of the rankings and Italy sitting comfortably in third place, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Italy Claims a Comprehensive 8-Wicket Victory Over Germany
Germany’s innings began cautiously. Openers Wilhelmina Hornero-Garcia and Rameesha Shahid managed a mere 14 runs before Rameesha was dismissed in just the third over, courtesy of a sharp delivery from Chathurika Mahamalange. This early breakthrough sent ripples of relief through the Italian squad, who were eager to capitalize on their solid positioning.
As the innings progressed, Shravya Kolcharam joined Hornero-Garcia, and their partnership of 29 runs momentarily lifted German hopes. However, it was Ilenia Sims who struck again for Italy, dismissing Hornero-Garcia for 10 runs in the eighth over. Despite a few contributions from the middle order, Germany struggled to gather momentum, finishing with a modest 108 runs for 4 wickets in their full quota of 20 overs.
Ameya Kanukuntla anchored Germany’s innings with a steady 27 not out off 41 balls, while Shravya Kolcharam contributed 25 runs from 27 balls. On the Italian bowling front, Ilenia Sims shone brightly, with impressive figures of 2 wickets for just 13 runs in her four overs, supported well by Chathurika Mahamalange and Teshani Araliya.
Chasing a relatively low target of 109, Italy faced an early hiccup when they lost their opening batter, Alexia Kontopirakis, in the second over. However, Ameya Kanukuntla was the sole source of joy for Germany with that breakthrough. Soon after, Mathnara Rathnayake had to retire hurt, which briefly threw Italy off balance. Yet, Annie Wikman and skipper Chloe Piparo steadied the ship with a crucial partnership of 60 runs for the second wicket that calmed any nerves in the Italian camp.
Rameesha Shahid managed to dismiss the captain Chloe Piparo, who scored a brisk 35 runs off 30 balls, giving Germany a glimmer of hope. But it was short-lived. Ilenia Sims and Annie Wikman then paired up to finish the job with an unbroken stand of 39 runs. Italy ultimately sealed the match with eight wickets in hand and six overs to spare, showcasing their dominance.
Despite their best efforts, Germany’s bowlers were unable to turn the tide, with Rameesha Shahid and Ameya Kanukuntla taking a wicket each but not enough to significantly threaten the experienced Italian batters. Ilenia Sims’ all-round performance—taking two wickets and notching up 22 runs—earned her the Player of the Match title.
Ireland Stays Unbeaten, Led by Arlene Kelly, Orla Prendergast, and Gaby Lewis
Meanwhile, in the other fixture of the day, Ireland demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork against the Netherlands. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Dutch batters struggled under the pressure exerted by the Irish bowling attack. The standout for Ireland was Arlene Kelly, who delivered a remarkable spell, clinching five wickets for merely 14 runs.
Robine Rijke (25 runs) and captain Babette de Leede (23 runs) were the only significant contributions for the Netherlands, with the rest of the batting lineup falling victim to Ireland’s disciplined bowling. Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, and Jane Maguire also joined in to dismantle the batting order, ensuring the Netherlands finished with a paltry total of just 111.
As Ireland set out to chase the target, they faced an early setback with the loss of Christina Coulter-Reilly in the third over. Yet, calm heads prevailed as Orla Prendergast joined forces with captain Gaby Lewis. Their incredible partnership of 89 runs for the second wicket propelled Ireland past the 100-mark, showcasing the resilience and skill that had brought them success in prior matches.
Despite Prendergast missing out on her half-century by just one run, Lewis held the fort well, eventually scoring 56 runs before being dismissed late in the innings. The innings ended with Laura Delany and Amy Hunter guiding Ireland to victory with seven wickets in hand and only five balls left to play.
Arlene Kelly’s brilliant bowling display earned her the Player of the Match award, and Ireland celebrated their continued winning streak in the tournament, a testament to their hard work and collective spirit.
Both matches highlighted the competitive edge and emerging talent in women’s cricket, creating excitement and anticipation for future encounters. As fans, we cannot help but feel proud of the spirit these athletes bring to the game, and it serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that drives women’s cricket forward.
Image Source: Arlene Kelly @ Instagram
